It takes a strong will and an even stronger stomach to get through the slew of festive functions at this time of year. However, we have a selection of alternative and highly enjoyable ways to blow off steam this Christmas.

First up, fledgling Glasgow micro-label Olive Grove Records are hosting a good ol’ seasonal knees-up at Pollokshaws café/community arts centre, The Glad Café, featuring a glittering selection of OGR alumni, headed by the wonderfully odd Randolph’s Leap and supported by Jo Mango and The State Broadcasters. Money from this event will also be going towards helping local charities, so dig deep! (The Glad Café, Glasgow, Fri 14 Dec, £6.)

In stark contrast, The Art School’s Jimbo Crimbo at SWG3 is a decadent all-night mash-up of boundary-pushing local musicians and visual artists, with DJs, installations and live performances providing the perfect avant garde X-mas antidote. Performers include Mother Ganga, The Life of Grime and the GSA choir. ( SWG3, Glasgow, Sat 14 Dec, £8/£6.)

In Edinburgh, Electric Circus hosts the ten-year anniversary party of IsThisMusic.com, which sees ITM favourites, Ballboy, warming up a close-knit crowd of contributors, fans, artists and anyone else who wants to get merry in very good company. Adam Thompson (from Glasgow’s We Were Promised Jetpacks) and We See Lights round out this nice little winter warmer. (Electric Circus, Edinburgh, Fri 13 Dec, £6.)

Last but certainly not least, Kid Canaveral’s Christmas Baubles returns, for a third helping of beautiful Christmas madness. This year’s line-up is as fantastic as the last two, with Malcolm Middleton (above), King Creosote & FOUND, Meursault, RM Hubbert and Josie Long joining the lovable KC and guest DJs for an all-night Christmas party well worth the hangover! (The Caves, Edinburgh, Sat 22 Dec, £16.)

Indie music website Is This Music? celebrates its tenth anniversary with quirky pop from ballboy, a solo show from We Were Promised Jetpacks's Thompson and Edinburgh indie collective We See Lights with a DJ set from Frightened Rabbit.

A Christmas co-promotion from SWG3 and the Art School, with a cast of artists and performers appearing alongside live bands Silk Cut, The Life of Grime, Mother Ganga and Colonel Mustard and the Three Wise Pimps Xmas Gimps, DJs Land Ahoy!, T.O.M. and Thunder Disco Club, and the GSA choir.